Ok, I'm back with details. Let me warn you- this is a VERY long story.
Some of you may remember that I mentioned last fall that my dad and stepmother were divorcing after 13 years of marriage, together for almost 20. Well, when my dad told me they were for sure getting divorced, he wanted me to know that he had done something he shouldn't have, and that he bore some responsibility in their problems.
Oooooooooook, right? How evasive.
Anyway, I didn't ask what he did or didn't do, just made my quiet assumptions, and moved on.
He has talked to me a few times since then (last Sept.) about how the divorce is going on and on because she is wanting more from him money-wise. I took that with a grain of salt knowing there are two sides to every story.
Well, a few weeks ago my stepbrother and his wife came over and had dinner with me. I asked if the divorce was final and he said no. Wanting to know what exactly went wrong between them, I asked him. He told me that my dad had cheated on my stepmother with another woman. That was no surprise, that's what I had assumed when my dad had talked to me the first time.
I get a call on Tuesday out of the blue from my soon-to-be ex-stepmother. She wanted to meet with me and talk. I hadn't even seen her since around August or so of last year. Rationalizing that she hadn't done anything to me directly, I agreed. She came over Tuesday and we talked for 5 1/2 hours.
She gave me more details on what happened between she and my dad. Apparently this was not a one-time "mistake." He had an affair with this woman for about 6 years. She was also married and ended up getting divorced because of it. Now the affair has destroyed my dad's marriage.
I have good reason to be upset/angry/disappointed right?
I have no intention of telling my dad what I know and how I came to know it. It's just he's presented such an innocent face to me all the while he was being unfaithful. Another thing that's really killing me is that this is not the first time for my dad. He has been married 3 times:
-Married to my mom, cheated on her
-Married to a textbook dumb blond, she cheated on him, got pregnant
-Married my stepmother, had a LONG affair
Here is some more to add to the mix:
-My grandmother, my dad's mother:
-cheated on my paternal grandfather, remarried
-wouldn't let my grandfather see his kids, he ended up committing suicide
-cheated on her next husband (my step grandfather who I love) with her third husband
-finally divorced 3rd husband because he was an alcoholic and physically abused her
My aunt, my dad's sister:
-married once young, cheated, got divorced
-remarried later, had an affair while with current husband
My uncle, my dad's brother:
-married to a woman who thought he could do no wrong, her only fault was she was unable to bear children
-had an affair, got the girl pregnant, now has a child. His wife of course divorced him
Are you seeing a freaking theme here?! 
This is almost a disease!!!!!!
I went to church for choir practice last night. We practiced in the sanctuary because we are singing this Sunday. The whole time I was on stage I had to fight to keep from breaking down and crying. Taking everything I wrote above, I felt so dirty and so unworthy to be there. No, this is not my sin and no, I had nothing to do with any of the above, but I couldn't help the way I felt/am feeling.
I live in a small town. Everyone knows everyone and people know about this affair (I have learned). I am so worried people are going to be watching me, waiting on me to follow in these footsteps.
On the other hand I have my mother:
-married my dad, divorced him after he cheated on her
-raised me pretty much herself
-took awesome care of me after I had my wreck
-married my stepfather and they've been married for 16 years
-she raised me better than that
This is what I keep telling myself. But I have been on an emotional roller coaster lately and I really want off. I truly don't think I can look at my dad the same way again and he has no idea.
I'm sorry if I worried you guys. I thank you if you made it through this long story.
Oy.
Have a small piece of chocolate that takes the edge of for me or a couple of jelly bellies work too.
and I want to prolong that!
I sort of had a hard time with those. They were already sliced & not very evenly! So I had to cut & pound on them to get them somewhat even! Whew! The only change I made was I marinated the chops in the mustard, garlic & little evoo. Other than that I followed your recipe to a tee! I think I should have been a bit more genorous with the brie, but the chops were so uneven & the brie was falling off. And if there is one thing I won't waste... it's good cheese.
And, I'm sure it goes without saying, good wine. 
